Met Police Warns Only 15% of 999 Calls Are Genuine Emergencies
The Metropolitan Police has revealed that just 15% of 999 it receives are genuine emergencies, with officers urging Londoners to keep phone lines clear for those in real danger. Some callers have even dialled for help with missed deliveries, spiders and uncooperative pets.
Met Police urges Londoners to ‘think before they call’ as 85% of 999 calls are not emergencies.
The Metropolitan Police has urged Londoners to think twice before dialling 999, after revealing that just 15% of emergency calls it receives are genuine emergencies.
New figures released yesterday show that out of 2.2 million calls made to the Met’s 999 line over the past year, the vast majority did not require immediate police response. Some were made by people complaining about missed deliveries, spiders in their home or pets refusing to come inside.
Commander Caroline Haines, who heads up the Met’s Command and Control, said unnecessary calls were putting lives at risk by delaying responses to genuine emergencies.
“When someone’s life is in danger, or a crime is being committed, seconds count,” she said.
“Unfortunately, too many people call 999 for things that simply aren’t an emergency. These calls could mean someone who is in genuine need and danger must wait longer to get the help they urgently need.”
The Met said the problem is so widespread it has launched a campaign to remind the public to keep 999 lines clear for life-threatening situations.
Common reasons for inappropriate calls include requesting updates on previous reports, reporting crimes that happened days or weeks earlier or disputes between tenants and landlords.
Scotland Yard have released audio of a women who called for help because a “big spider” was trapped in her hallway. When the operator asks if it was a joke, she replies: “No, it is not. Oh my God. I am terrified of spiders.”
Another man called in frustration when he paid £13 for chicken at a KFC in Harlesden and the staff were not giving him his food, when challenged over his reasons for contacting 999 for this issue, he says “Yeah, well, what choice have I got mate.”
People are using 999 to report non-emergency related incidents, including reporting not being served their chicken in a KFC branch
People are instead being encouraged to call 101 or visit met.police.uk/contact-us to report non-urgent incidents such as noise complaints or minor anti-social behaviour.
The Met also reminded the public that anyone who dials 999 by mistake should stay on the line and confirm they are safe as every abandoned call requires time-consuming risk check.
Between July 2024 and July 2025, more than four million incidents were reported to the Met, of those 22% were abandoned calls and 21% were ‘contact record’ calls where people rang to ask for a crime reference number update. Around 90% of these required no police response.
Commander Haines added “we will always be here 24/7 for genuine emergencies. But to keep London safe, we need everyone to use the right channels. Let’s keep 999 free for those who truly use it.”
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HeadlineMet Police Warns Only 15% of 999 Calls Are Genuine Emergencies
Short HeadlineLondoners Urged to 'Think Before They Call' As Most 999 Calls Are Not For Real Emergencies
StandfirstThe Metropolitan Police has revealed that just 15% of 999 it receives are genuine emergencies, with officers urging Londoners to keep phone lines clear for those in real danger. Some callers have even dialled for help with missed deliveries, spiders and uncooperative pets.
Met Police urges Londoners to ‘think before they call’ as 85% of 999 calls are not emergencies.
The Metropolitan Police has urged Londoners to think twice before dialling 999, after revealing that just 15% of emergency calls it receives are genuine emergencies.
New figures released yesterday show that out of 2.2 million calls made to the Met’s 999 line over the past year, the vast majority did not require immediate police response. Some were made by people complaining about missed deliveries, spiders in their home or pets refusing to come inside.
Commander Caroline Haines, who heads up the Met’s Command and Control, said unnecessary calls were putting lives at risk by delaying responses to genuine emergencies.
“When someone’s life is in danger, or a crime is being committed, seconds count,” she said.
“Unfortunately, too many people call 999 for things that simply aren’t an emergency. These calls could mean someone who is in genuine need and danger must wait longer to get the help they urgently need.”
The Met said the problem is so widespread it has launched a campaign to remind the public to keep 999 lines clear for life-threatening situations.
Common reasons for inappropriate calls include requesting updates on previous reports, reporting crimes that happened days or weeks earlier or disputes between tenants and landlords.
Scotland Yard have released audio of a women who called for help because a “big spider” was trapped in her hallway. When the operator asks if it was a joke, she replies: “No, it is not. Oh my God. I am terrified of spiders.”
Another man called in frustration when he paid £13 for chicken at a KFC in Harlesden and the staff were not giving him his food, when challenged over his reasons for contacting 999 for this issue, he says “Yeah, well, what choice have I got mate.”
People are using 999 to report non-emergency related incidents, including reporting not being served their chicken in a KFC branch
People are instead being encouraged to call 101 or visit met.police.uk/contact-us to report non-urgent incidents such as noise complaints or minor anti-social behaviour.
The Met also reminded the public that anyone who dials 999 by mistake should stay on the line and confirm they are safe as every abandoned call requires time-consuming risk check.
Between July 2024 and July 2025, more than four million incidents were reported to the Met, of those 22% were abandoned calls and 21% were ‘contact record’ calls where people rang to ask for a crime reference number update. Around 90% of these required no police response.
Commander Haines added “we will always be here 24/7 for genuine emergencies. But to keep London safe, we need everyone to use the right channels. Let’s keep 999 free for those who truly use it.”
